on March 19, 2019
11 Wells Spirits – Rye Whiskey
375ml bottle
84 proof
90% Minnesota Rye, 10% Malted Rye
Aroma – 3.5
Taste – 3.0
Feel – 3.5
Finish – 3.0
Value – 2.0
Overall – TBD, based on weighting
I’m a sucker for good design. This bottle caught my eye immediately when I saw it on the shelf at Binny’s while looking for a gift for a friend’s birthday. The distillery is located a few blocks from where I used to live in St. Paul, MN which clinched the purchase. I bought the bourbon and we enjoyed it, reminiscent in many ways of FEW’s bourbon. The next time I was shopping for myself, I decided to try the Rye and, this time, actually write it up for the good folks of WhiskeyRatings.
The Setup: neat, in a Glencairn glass
A: Light, grassy aroma. The alcohol is especially prominent for an 84-proof bottle. A little biscuit-y, but the alcohol really keeps it in the background.
T: Cedar, spices – peppery for a rye, light brown sugar
F: Light-bodied
F: Clean finish, dissipates quickly, the pepper notes linger a little.
V: This one is pretty expensive at $35 for a 375ml, and not quite deserving of that price tag, in my opinion.
Bottom Line: I’ll be keeping an eye on this distillery, I like what I’ve tried so far. The Bourbon will be revisited and reviewed at some point. Keep in mind that this is billed as an experimental series and they are playing with a quite a few variables. I did try this in a Manhattan and it was really excellent with some Martini & Rosso, Peychaud’s and a Luxardo cherry. The lightness of the rye really allowed the other flavors to shine more than with a bolder rye. At $35 for a half-bottle, it’s hard to justify the cost on any regular basis, but if you’re feeling adventurous it’s definitely worth a try.
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